Longtown

About

Longtown, with its attractive 18th century bridge, makes a good starting point for walks along the River Esk and through the surrounding countryside. The Solway Firth, also close by, is popular with birdwatchers looking for wading birds and wildfowl. A 60-acre country park, Oakbank, outside Longtown offers fishing, a bird sanctuary, lakes, and walks. The red sandstone estate church in Longtown, St Andrew (Kirk Andrews upon Esk) built in 1776 is a rebuilding of an earlier one and was, itself, restored in 1893. It has touches of the Italian culture in its design. Also Longtown's Gothic styled parish church, dedicated to St. Michael, stands on land once called Arthur's Head. The parish name became Arthuret. A cross in the churchyard also represents the knights of Malta.